Indicator for the steering-wheel of an automobile.



E F. M. RYAN.

INDICATOR FOR THE STEERING WHEEL OF AN AUTOMOBILE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-l3. 1917.

L 1,32 3,9 14. Patented Deo. 2,1919.

FRANK M. RYAN, OF PHOENIX, ARIZONA.

INDICATOR FOR THE STEERING-WHEEL OF AN AUTOMOBILE.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented nece, 1919.

Application filed August 13, 1917. ,Serial No. 186,018.

T 0 all whom 'it 'may concern.'

Be it known that I, FRANK M. RYAN, a citizen ot' the United States, residing at Phoenix, in the county of Maricopa and State of Arizona. have invented a new and useful Indicator for the Steering-Wheels ot Automobiles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accoinpanying drawing.

My invention relates to aV contrivance, herein known as an indicator for the steering-wheel o'f the automobile, and made aA part of the steering wheel rim, the material and .finish of the indicator being such as the experienctl ai'iil judgment of the inanu't'ae tiirer may deeniibest.

Automobilists frequently find it diflicult to ascertain the exact position o't' thesteei'- ing-wheels of their machine in starting such machine or extricating it from garages, parkings. etc. A driver, particularly a novice, because of obstructing fenders and other parts of his car. is quite often compelled to maneuver more or less in beginning progress either forward or backward; to shift from his position behind the steering=wheel to learn the angular position or alincment of the steering-wheels; or to question bystanders or othersfor such information. These ditlieulties and others are overcome by the above mentioned and hereinafter described invention. This indicator., by revealing the position o't the front' wheels, enables the driver to better combat heavy sand or n'iiid.

Many other situations malte the use of this indicator desirable that the autoist may know by the sense. of touch or sight the alinement of the steeringovheels ot his niachine.

I- obtain thi above mentioned objects by the contrivances illustrated in the accompanyinzgY drawing` in which.

Figure l is a plan of the i'ini of a steering wheel of an aiitoiiiolnle.

Figs. 3. l, and G are plans of `rarious marks which may be used. Figs. 3, 4. 5 and i' being modifications of the niark shown in Fig. The. steering wheel riin l may be of any ot the usual constructions. rThe indicator or niark 3 is to be mounted upon the steering wheel rim 1 at the point Q. The indicator il is preferably a piece ot' metal which may be attached to the rim with tacks. or which may be embedded into the rim. The point upon the steering wheel rim at which the indicator 3 is to bc attached is t'oiind b placing the front steering' wheels of the aiifoniobile in line with the rear wheels. so that the. automobile will i'iin straight ahead or straight backwardly. and then placingl the indicator Il at the top or 'forward side ot' the wheel in line with the steering wheel post. Then when the steering' wheel is operated. or isto'be operated. the position ot' the indicator upon thc steering` wheel rini will indicate to the operator the position ot the steering' wheels ofi the automobile. that is the front traction wheels. Il desired the indicatoi.' might be placed at the rear side ot' the steering wheel i'iiii or in any position which will indicate to the operator the normal position of the steering' wheel and the position of the steering;` traction wheels by the position ot' the indicator upon the rini.

The modified forms 23". 3". 3. and 3 shown in Figs. Si. 4v, 5 and f3 and similar forms may be substituted for the form shown in Fig.

The structure embodying this invention is shown in the accoiiipanyingr drawing but it is understood that various changes and modifications can be made without devint/inef troni the, general principles and spirit of the invention.

Having' thus described my invention, what I claini and desire. to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Au indicator tor the steering wheel ofi an automobile comprising av niark located upon the steering' wheel rim and ailapted to indicate the normal.. position of the. steering' wheel as when going straight ahead onsti'aie'lit baeliwardly. and ada'ited to indicate the. positions of the steering traction wheels by the position ot' the inarli upon the steering' wheel rim..

.'\n indicator toi' the steeringr wheel of' an automobile coinprisinar amark upon the steering' wheel rim accurately located to iii-.

dicaf'e' the. positions of the steeringY traction wheels by the position o'f the niark.

FRANK M. RYAN. 

